African Storytelling

Oral storytelling can improve children’s language fluency and help them grasp new concepts that underpin literacy and literature. Our African Storytelling series is a collaboration with ASSITEJ South Africa, in partnership with Goethe-Institut South AfricaRand Merchant Bank, and Soweto Theatre.

Feb 15

Play Africa’s Announces a Nationwide Open Call for REAL SCIENCE

Play Africa is empowering science teachers in rural and peri-urban South Africa to promote STEM equity and combat misinformation about science and scientific findings through its REAL SCIENCE programme and have announced a nationwide call to educators. The nationwide call is open to all educators particularly interested in promoting STEM... read more →
Sep 06
Sep 02
Aug 01
Jul 18

Building Bridges of Peace through Empathy and Compassion

Play Africa has launched a new original programme that has been designed to strengthen social inclusion and ubuntu through facilitated workshops and exhibits that promote empathy and compassion. The announcement of its recent milestones and full programme, which amplifies the core values of Nelson Mandela, comes fittingly on Mandela Day... read more →
Jun 08

Play Africa is Open for Bookings!

We are excited to announce that our welcoming, interactive "Children's Museum" based at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, is once again open for general school bookings and family visits. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Play Africa offered limited-access programmes at Constitution Hill. Instead, we were more active than ever as a “children’s... read more →
Feb 21

The Hyena Who Could Not Stop Laughing

As the hyena walks through the jungle, he meets many different animals and laughs at the way they look. This hurts the other animals' feelings. It's only when the great baobab intervenes that the hyena learns the impact of his laughter. Join Sizwe Vilakazi to meet the different characters in... read more →
Feb 21

The Musical Tree

Kuluza and his best friend love to listen to the beautiful sounds of trees. In a dream, Khuluza sees a forest full of these musical trees being cut down. When he wakes up, he and his friend discover real trees are indeed being cut down. Join storyteller Thembile Tshuma to... read more →
Feb 21
Feb 21

Why the Giraffe has a Long Neck

Have you ever wondered why giraffes have long necks? Join us for this story to imagine what might have happened to make giraffes grow such long legs and necks. Laugh and listen to this silly tale with storyteller Sizwe Vilakazi.
Feb 21

The Enchanting Bird Song

A big bird with a magical song is destroying the crops in a village. The headman of the village asks everyone to help him solve the problem. Various adults try, but it is the children who finally succeed. Sing along to the beautiful songs with storyteller Baeletsi Tsatsi.
Feb 21

The Water Snake (Inyoka Yamanzi)

The story of the mythical snake known as Nyami Nyami is one of southern Africa's oldest stories. Storyteller Thembile Tshuma takes us on a musical journey as he shares the story of this legendary animal who lives in the mighty Zambezi River. https://www.high-endrolex.com/32
Feb 21

The World of Dreams (Lehantshe la Ditoro)

Storyteller Tsholo Shounyane and her puppet Nonki share the story of a little girl who has vivid dreams. Normally these dreams are happy. But when a dark cloud appears in her dream world, fairies advise her to find ways to bring kindness and giggles to the real world.
Feb 21

Where Stories Come From

Where did the world's first stories come from? Storyteller Sizwe Vilakazi takes young viewers on an adventure to the bottom of the sea in this traditional story.
Feb 21

Children of the Stars (Bana ba Dinaledi)

By chance, two children get to meet the children of the stars. Join storyteller Tsholo Shounyane and her puppet Nonki to follow the children as they experience the magic and mystery of the night sky with the children of the stars.
Feb 21

The Rabbit and the Lion (Mmutle le tau)

When the lion accidentally steps on a rabbit, the rest of the rabbit family feel they need to do something about it. The movements and music of storyteller Baeletsi Tsatsi delight children of all ages.
Jun 20

The Fox and the Grapes

Professional storyteller Tsholo Shounyane and her puppet Nonki tell us a story called The Fox and The Grapes. We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Please do enjoy and share. Happy Youth Day, everyone. 🌻
Jun 09

Khuluza the Spider Boy

Khuluza the Spider Boy is a story brought to you by professional storyteller Thembile Tshuma. Enjoy and share! We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. What traditional story would YOU like to see reimagined with Play Africa?
Jun 09

The Needle Tree

Catch professional storyteller Tsholo Shouenyane and her puppet Nonki with this traditional African story, The Needle Tree. We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. 
Jun 09

Khuluza’s Dream

Professional storyteller Thembile Tshuma shares Khuluza's Dream, about a little boy and his imagination. We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Please do enjoy and share. 
Jun 09

Jabulani and the Lion

Join professional storyteller Sizwe Vilakazi for this story, Jabulani and the Lion. We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Please do enjoy and share.
Jun 09

The Jackal and the Well

Watch professional storyteller Baeletsi Tsatsi tell the story of The Jackal and the Well! In English with supporting vocabulary in Setswana. We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis.
Jun 09

The Golden Touch

Watch professional storyteller Tsholo Shouenyane and her puppet Nonki tell this story of The Golden Touch. We have partnered with ASSITEJ South Africa and the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg to offer locally-relevant cultural experiences children at home during the COVID-19 crisis. 
Jun 09

Khuluza and the Bag

Join professional storyteller Thembile Tshuma as he shares the story of Khuluza and the Bag. This traditional story from Zimababwe is retold with a lot of humour and silly voices in English, with supporting vocabulary in isiZulu and Ndebele.
May 07

Science at Home Activity Pack 4

Science at Home Activity Pack 3

Science at Home Activity Pack 2

Science at Home Activity Pack 1

Activity Pack 3

Activity Pack 2

Activity Pack 1